It wasn't like him to drink, let alone this much. Visiting the bar was a reward for whatever hard work he'd done that day.

But not lately.

Huddled in one of the furthest booths from the main area he sat, hunched over his fourth or fifth drink. In the safety of the shadows, he could avoid the waiters and waitresses and the nagging of other drunks, eager to start something special.

The only thing he wanted to start was a new life. Pero hadn't realized how burdensome this career would be until after multiple close calls and unsavory experiences. At this point, he just wanted to be able to go to sleep at night.

So, he stayed up drinking peacefully.

Up until someone walked up to his booth, of course.